Senior Hardware Product Development Engineer

Our mission is to prevent an impending sixth mass extinction – the first in Earth’s history driven by the actions of a single species: ours. Unlike traditional conservation efforts, Conservation X Labs focuses on leveraging the best technology, the newest innovation, interdisciplinary genius, and the power of the marketplace to boldly confront the biggest problems facing the planet. Though humans have driven this sixth extinction, we know humans have the power to reverse it.

About Conservation X Labs:

Conservation X Labs (CXL) seeks to solve the world’s greatest conservation problems by supporting innovative solutions that address the underlying drivers of extinction. We create solutions to prevent the extinction crisis through developing new technology in our labs, leading innovation competitions, and empowering talented innovators across disciplines to create transformative products that serve people and our planet.

Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Hardware Product Development Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for taking our hardware product, the Sentinel, from prototype to commercialization, with a focus on embedded systems engineering and design, firmware infrastructure and on-board AI. You will also be responsible for managing external technical/manufacturing partners to ensure successful Sentinel product development and deployment.

The Sentinel is an edge computing device that connects with commercial camera traps. It uses AI and low-bandwidth communications to deliver species detections from anywhere in the world, and in time for action. Sentinel deploys a range of on-board edge-AI models that allow for detection of over 2400 species, and enable data transmission from anywhere and at a very low cost, which is typically a bottleneck in conservation. Sentinel is deployed in over 16 countries, ranging from tropical forest to savannahs to fight extinction by helping to more effectively monitor threatened and endangered species, invasive species, poaching, and human wildlife-conflict.

Responsibilities

• Own Sentinel's architectural design and strategic planning, ensuring they align with long-term goals and Project vision.
• Develop firmware, power and communication systems for low-power field devices.
• Manage coordination with manufacturing partners, ensuring that hardware design and production meet product standards and requirements, including design for manufacturing and assembly (DFM/DFA), bill of materials (BOM) management, component sourcing, test design, and regulatory certification.
• Implement computer vision and acoustic models and pipelines trained by other team members for embedded systems.
• Integrate hardware prototypes with cloud infrastructure and platforms.
• Assist the team in fieldwork and testing activities to enhance product development and integrate customer feedback - this may include international travel and field work.
• Provide expert advice and insights on managing customer relationships, ensuring successful technology implementation, and resolving technical issues to maintain high customer satisfaction.
• Support ongoing engineering efforts for the product line around firmware updates, remote diagnosis of problems, RMA/returns and other customer support efforts.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful and timely product development and deployment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field (or a previous track record of success or a portfolio in lieu of a degree)
• 5 years of experience in hardware product development and deployment, with expertise in Python, C/C , and Bash.
• Experience with prototyping and debugging embedded hardware and software
• Experience with PCB design and understanding how to create a manufacturing package for suppliers that includes schematics/BOM/other technical details as needed.
• Mechanical and enclosure familiarity for ruggedized outdoor products (sealing and IP rating, materials, tooling) or close partnership with mechanical engineer
• Inventory control and order fulfillment
• Passionate about conservation, biodiversity
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail

Preferred

• Experience taking electronics hardware from prototype through manufacturing: DFM/DFT, contract manufacturer selection and management, pilot production, acceptance testing (including production test jigs), and reliability/environmental testing.
• Experience in environment, conservation or biodiversity technology
• Experience in developing and maintaining software tools and pipelines for embedded Machine Learning (ML), and a strong understanding of cloud infrastructure

Location

Seattle, Los Angeles or Washington D.C. preferred, but willing to consider remote candidates.

We offer competitive benefits, as well as opportunities for growth and development within the company. If you are passionate about conservation and hardware product development and excited to take on this challenge, we encourage you to apply!